Railroad crossing gate and signal



Jan. 14, 1941 M. GLDWKA 2,228,909

RAILROAD CROSSING GATE AND SIGNAL Filed May 18, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l 12 4 1 12" 2 12.5

RAILROAD CROSSING- GATE AND SIGNAL INVENTOR Glow/fa I ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

6 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier application Serial No. 149,590 filed June 22, 1937.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a signaling bell, alarm signal light, etc., and gate for railroad crossings.

The invention has for an object the construction of a device as mentioned which is characterized by the fact that it is a combination of a mechanical and an electric device.

More specifically, the invention proposes the provision of depressible members adjacent the rails of a railroad track system before and after a crossroad and adapted to be depressed by each wheel of a train passing over the track and associated with mechanism for operating the signal arm of a signal gate.

It is proposed to so arrange the device that as the train comes on to a crossing, as each wheel depresses the depressible member, the motion is transmitted mechanically or electrically to slowly and with an intermittent motion lower the gate. Thereafter, after the train has passed the crossing its wheels will engage the other depressible member, and as each wheel depresses it the movement will be communicated mechanically or electrically to progressively raise the gate until the gate is fully opened.

Furthermore, it is proposed to associate a bell mechanism, light mechanism and alarm device or devices with the device arranged to cause the same to operate during the lowering and raising of the gate.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure-- Fig. 1 is a plan view or a portion of a railroad track system provided with a signaling bell, lamp and gate at a crossing constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1 showing particularly the signal gate, the depressible members, and the operating mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view 'on the line 4-4 of Fi .3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating the position of the pawl and ratchet on the other side of the crossing.

Fig. 7 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 2 but showing the 5 gate lowered.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 8-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view looking 10 in the direction of the line ill-I0 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal view on the line ll-ll on Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line l2-l2 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the top end of depressible member per se.

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of the toggle members per se.

Fig. 15 IS an enlarged detailed view of the in'-.

combination with railroad tracks Ill and a cross road II. For each of the tracks in one direction and for each of the tracks in the other direction, there is a signaling gate I! at the crossing including towers l2 and gate arms l2 pivotally supported and adapted to be raised and lowered across the crossing ll. Depressible members it are arranged adjacent each track before and after the crossing and are adapted to be depressed by each wheel of a train passing over the tracks.

A shaft l5 extends indirectly between the depressible members 14. A means is provided, operable by one of the depressible members for turning the shaft l5 in one direction. Another means is provided operable by the other of the depressible members for turning the shaft [5 in the other direction. .A worm pinion I6 is mounted on the shaft l5 and meshes with a worm wheel l1 rotatively supported. A means is operable by the worm wheel'll for raising the arm ll when turning in one direction and for lowerin: the arm I2 when turning in the other direction. The tower I! is of hollow construction and is formed with a slot II in its top end and one side. This "lot is arranged to permit the arm l2 to extend outwards an ii to move from a vertically raised position to a lowered position.

Each depressible member l4 comprises a pair of opposed toggle members M which extend slightly upwards and upon which the flange |4 of each of the wheels of a railroad train engage against and depress. Each depressible member I4 is also provided with a depressible rack member M. The lower end of each rack member extends into a hollow casing |4 and an expansion spring 20 operates between the bottom wall of the casing l4 and the bottom end of the rack member I4 to normally urge the depressible member into a raised position. When the wheel of a train passes over it, it will be momentarily depressed but once the wheel passes it will be urged upwards into the raised position.

The toggle members |4 have their outer ends pivotally supported adjacent the outside faces of the tracks or blocks I4, and their inner ends extended upwards and overlapped. These overlapped ends are connected together by means of a roller I4 (see Fig. '12) extended through elongated slots l4 formed in the inner ends of the toggle members. The rack member H has plates H (see Fig. 13) secured to opposite sides of its tit upper end forming a bifurcated end between the fingers of which the inner ends of the toggle member I4 are disposed. These toggle members l4 and the plates M are pivotally connected together by means of a pin I4 extended freely through the plates l4" and the roller H. The slots N" are so arranged that the inner ends of '.he toggle members I4 will be caused to overlap each other a greater amount when the depressible members M are depressed.

The casing H has mounted on each of its sides a pair of spaced superimposed outwardly extending flange members. The bottom portion of the casing I4 is projected-into an enlarged opening 1| formed in the earth therebeneath. A pair of plates 72 have their outer ends securely mounted on the surface of the earth on opposite sides of the opening 1|, and their inner ends engaged between and securely attached to the ad- Jacent faces of the flanges I0 for supporting the casing H".

The shaft l has its intermediate area extended through the bottom of the tower l2, and its ends extended into the casing |4. The means which is operable by one of the depressible members I4 to turn the shaft I5 in one direction comprises a gear 2| engaged by and meshing with the rack member M". This gear 2| is located within the casing |4 and is loosely or freely mounted on the shaft 22 rotatively supported between the walls of the casing. A one way pawl 23 is resiliently mounted on the side of the gear 2| and engages a ratchet 24 fixed on the shaft 22. There is a gear 25 also fixed on the shaft 22 which meshes with a gear 26 fixed on a shaft 21 rotatively supported between the Walls of the casing l4. Bevel gears 28 connect the shaft 27 with the shaft l5. When the depressible member H at the left of Fig. 2 is depressed the shaft i5 will be driven in one direction and not in the other because of the action of the pawl 23, and

the ratchet 24.

One side of the rack member I4 is formed with rack teeth H which mesh with the gear 2|. A means is provided for holding the rack member |4 in a position in which the rack teeth will continually engage the gear 2|. 'his means comprises a flanged wheel 2 I which engages the side of the rack member |4 opposed to the side having the rack teeth l4. The flanged wheel is rotatively supported upon a bracket 2| extending from the wall of the casing |4=.

The means operable by the other of the depressible members, namely, the depressible member at the right of Fig. 2 is identical in construction, except for the fact that it is provided with a pawl 23 (see Fig. 6) engaging a ratchet 24 set opposite to the corresponding pawl and ratchet 23 and 24. The arrangement is such that when the depressible member H at the, right is depressed the shaft I5 will turn in the opposite direction.

The worm wheel I1 is fixed upon the shaft 30 which is rotatively supported in the bottom of the tower l2, and said shaft 30 is provided with a sprocket wheel 3| which is freely rotative thereon. This sprocket wheel 3| is engaged by a chain 32 which extends upwards through the tower I2 and engages over a sprocket 33 rotatively supported by a shaft 34 disposed in the top of the tower l2. The sprocket 3| is indirectly driven by the shaft 30 through the medium of a slip clutch arrangement. This slip clutch arrangement includes disc 35 which is pinned on the shaft 30. A friction clutch plate 31 is coaxially mounted on the shaft 30 and is longitudinally slidably supported thereon by a key 31.

The key 3! is capable of transmitting rotations from the shaft 30 to the clutch plate 31. A spring 36 is interposed between the disc 35 and the clutch plate 31 and forces the clutch plate 31 against the side of the sprocket 3|. A collar 30' is pinned upon the shaft 30 and engages the free face of the sprocket 3| for holding the sprocket 3| from sliding on the shaft 30. Rotations from the shaft 30 are transmitted to the disc 35 and the clutch plate 31, and if there is less than a certain load on the sprocket 3|, the rotations will be transmitted to the sprocket 3|. However, if the sprocket 3| presents more than this certain amount of resistance, slipping will take place.

Adjustment screws 38 and 39 are associated with the top of the tower |2 at locations to control the horizontal and vertical positions of the arm |2 The adjustment screw 39 threadedly engages through a bracket 40 fixedly mounted on the top of the tower I2 This screw 39 is capable of being locked in various extended posi tions by a nut 4| threadedly mounted thereon and abutting the lug 40. The screw 39 limits upward motion of the arm l2 substantially to the vertical, though as illustrated in Fig. 2 the arm lacks about from the true vertical direction.

The adjustment screw 38 is mounted on a bracket 42 which is vertically, slidably' and resiliently supported in the top of the tower l2. This bracket 42 has a vertical arm 42 within the tower |2 upon which the arm l2 is pivotally supported by a pintle 43. The bracket 42 also has a horizontal arm 42 extending out from the slot It in the tower I2. The screw 38 threadedly engages through the horizontal arm 42 and is adapted to limit downward motion of the arm l2 to the horizontal position indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. A lock nut 4| threadedly engages the screw 38 and abuts the arm 42 for locking the screw in adjusted positions.

The bracket 42 is vertically slidably supported by having lug portions 42 which are slidably mounted on vertical rods .3. These vertical rods are supported on a bridge 44' stationarily mounted between opposite walls of the tower l2 some distance below the bracket 42. Springs 44 are coaxially mounted on the rods 43 and act between the bridge 44' and the lugs 42 for resiliently holding the bracket 42 in an elevated position.

A finger 46 is rigidly mounted to one of the links of the chain 32 and pivotally connects with a link 41 which in turn is pivotally connected with the arm I2 at a point spaced from the pivot 43 and at a location substantially in line with the finger 45. These parts are so arranged that the link 41 and the finger 45 are capable. of holding the arm I2 in its raised position, and upon operation of the chain 32 are capable of pivoting the arm I2 about the pintle 43 to lower the arm to its horizontal position.

In the horizontal position of the arm Ill it engages the adjustment screw 38 which is mounted on the bracket 42. Consequently, further operation of the chain 32, which will cause the finger 46 to move downwards, will act to lower the arm I2 in its horizontal position from the altitude indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 2 to a lower position.

A brace member 49 is statlonarily mounted on the inner face of one of the walls of the tower I2 and extends along one side of the endless chain 32, and furthermore extends along one side of the finger 45 for assisting in guiding these parts. I The brace 49 acts in the nature of a reinforcing rail. Any tendency of the endless chain 32 in the vicinity of the finger 45 to belly outwards will be arrested by the brace 49. Consequently, the endless chain is capable of efflciently transmitting upward and downward vertical movements to the finger 45 without much or any lateral distortion.

A star wheel 50 is fixed on the shaft 34 and controls an alarm system which includes an audible alarm 5| and a visual alarm 52. The star wheel 50 is cooperative with a spring contact 53 mounted on the inner wall of the tower I2 and engageable selectively by the points of the star wheel as the star wheel turns. An elec trlc circuit 54 is connected with the spring contact 53 and with the star wheel 50 and with the alarm 5I and the visual signal 52. The visual signal 52 may comprise a lamp or other lightable signal, and preferably this signal should be mounted on the arm 12. p

The alarm 5I may be mounted in the tower or adjacent the road II, or wherever desired. The adjustment screw 39 may be set so that when the arm I2 is in its fully raised position, the circuit 54 will be opened between the star wheel 50 and the spring contact 53 so that the alarm and signal are not functioning. This adjustment is easily possible. in that when the arm I2 strikes the adjustment screw 39 it will serve to throw a load on the endless chain 32. Then the clutch plate 31 slips and the chain 32 no longer moves, and consequently the star wheel 50 is in a stationary position. While the arm I2 moves to its lowered position, the star wheel will have its points successively engage the spring contact 53 for periodically sounding the alarm devices.

Each gate I2 has a supplementary gate I2 located on the opposite side of the track or tracks to which the gate or gates I2 are located. Each gate I2 is associated with a tower 12. The arrangement is such that the gate I2 will operate simultaneously with its complementary gate l2. The construction of the supplemental gate device is-identical to its complementary gate and therefore, the unitary action will readily be conceivable. In other words, when the arm I2 of one of the signalling gates I2 is in its lowered position, the arm of the gate I2 of its complementary signalling device will also be lowered and as the arm l2 moves upwards the arm of the gate I2 will move correspondingly. Therefore when a train approaches the crossing II on any track it will operate the signalling and gate devices to close the gates on the sides of the track system on the road II.

In Figs. 16 and 17 a. modified construction has been disclosed distinguishing from the prior form essentially in the way that the depressible members I4 operate the shaft provided with the worm pinion I6. Specifically, the worm pinion I5 is mounted on a rotative short shaft I5, which is rotatively mounted in the bottom of the tower I2. This shaft I5 is connected with an electric motor 55 capable of rotating the shaft.

The depressible member I4 at the left has a depressible stem I4 which is connected with a piston 58 located within a cylinder 51. This piston is formed with several passages 59 which have their upper ends normally closed by a loose valve disc 60. The top of the cylinder 51 is provided with a bleed air outlet valve 6| capable of permitting the slow escape of air from the top of the cylinder. The extreme top of the cylinder 51 has a cap shaped insulation member 62 mounted thereon capable of insulating the piston 58 from the cylinder 51 when the piston is in its fully raised position. An electric circuit 63 is connected with the electric motor 55 and with the piston rod 55 and cylinder 51. When the piston 58 engages the cylinder walls 51 the circuit is completed. The lower portion of the cylinder 51 is formed with several air esbape passages 51'.

The depressible member I4 at the right is also provided with a depressible stem I4 connected,

with the piston rod 55 of a similar device as that disclosed in Fig. 17. The cylinder is indicated by reference numeral 51 and the air passages at the bottom by 51 This electric control device is connected in a circuit 63 which connects with the electric motor 55 in such a manner as to be capable of driving the motor in a reverse direc-- tion. The plates 12' in this form of the invention are formed of insulation material for insulating the cylinder 51 from the earth. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form and similar parts may be identified by like reference numerals.

When the wheels I4 of a train depress one or the other of the depressible members I4 the depressible stem I4 will move a piston 55 downwards, closing a circuit between the piston and the cylinder 51. The electric motor 55 then functions to drive the shaft I5 in one or the other direction depending upon which depressible memher is depressed. This motion is transmitted to the worm pinion I6 and its worm wheel, etc., to drive the chain 32 in one or the other direction.

After the wheel I4 passes over a depressible member 14 its spring 25 will move the same to its raised position which takes a short period of time due to the dash pot construction of cylinder 51, and this breaks the circuit by the piston 58 engaging the insulation material 62.

The operation of the signalling and gate device for railroad crossing, according to this invention, is as follows:

When a train approaches the crossing II its wheels will ride over a depressible member I4 for example the one at the left of Fig. 2 or Fig. 16, depending upon the form of the invention being used. As each wheel passes over the depressible member it will be momentarily depressed or depressed until the train passes depending upon the dash pot action of cylinder I, and then be raised by the spring 20. This action of the depressible member will be transmitted. indirectly to drive the worm pinion l6 which will indirectly transmit the motion to the arms l2 and I2. These arms will be lowered from their vertical positions to their horizontal positions, and after reaching their horizontal positions will move further downward in the horizontal positions.

With this arrangement persons are given ample warning at the cross road II. First their attention will be attracted to the arms which are moving from their vertical to their horizontal positions. However, during this period persons, wagons, automobiles. and the like, caught between the tracks may readily scurry to safety on either side oi. the tracks. It is only after the arms li and I! reach their horizontal positions that they start moving downward to a relatively low position so as to prevent persons, automobiles, etc., outside the tracks from entering upon the tracks during this period. This permits a train to pass.

Simultaneous with the lowering of the arms l2 and I2 the points of the star wheel will intermittently contact with the contacts 53 and operate the circuit 54 for intermittently ringing the alarm SI and operating the visual signal 52.

After the train has passed the crossing H and its wheels run over the depressible member I 4 at the right of Fig. 2 or Fig. 16, the gate arms l2 and I2 will be raised gradually indirectly by the depressions of the depressible member. First they will move upwards in their horizontal positions and then they will pivot to vertical positions.

It is to be understood that the electric circuit may be connected to the usual 110 volt supply or to storage batteries of suitable strength to operate the electrical devices used in this device.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the pre cise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a'railroad crossing gate and signal, a tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the top portion of said tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the bottom portion of said tower, an endless chain engaging over said sprocket wheels, means controlled by an approaching train for driving said chain and having a slip device, a bracket vertically .slidably mounted upon a bridging element fixedly mounted in the top portion of said tower, means for resiliently holding said bracket in a raised position, a signal arm pivotally supported on said bracket and extending from said tower and adapted to extend substantially vertically and to be lowered to a horizontal position, a stop on said tower for limiting said signal arm to its verticalposition, a stop on said bracket for limitingsaid signal arm to its horizontal position, and means connected between said chain and signal arm for supporting the signal arm in its vertical I position and being capable of moving said arm to its horizontal position as the chain moves to strike said stop controlling the horizontal position of said arm whereupon further movement of said chain will cause said arm and bracket to move vertically downwards relative to said tower.

2. In a railroad crossing gate and signal, a tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the top portion of said tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted inv the bottom portion of said tower, an endless chain engaging over said sprocket wheels, means controlled by an approaching train for driving said chain and having a slip device, a bracket vertically slidably mounted upon a bridging element fixedly mounted in the top portion of said tower, said slidable bracket, comprising lugs formed on said bracket and slidably engaging rods extending vertically upwards from said bridging element, means for resiliently holding said bracket in a raised position, a, signal arm pivotally supported on said bracket and extending from said tower and adapted to extend substantially vertically and to be lowered to a horizontal position, a stop on said tower for limiting said signal arm to its vertical position, a stop on said bracket for limiting said signal arm to its horizontal position, and means connected between said chain and signal arm for supporting the signal arm in its vertical position and. being capable of moving said arm to its horizontal position as the chain moves to strike said stop controlling the horizontal position of said arm whereupon further movement of said chain will cause said arm and bracket to move vertically downwards relative to said tower.

3. In a railroad'crossing gate and signal, a tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the top portion of said tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the bottom portion of said tower, an endless chain engaging over said sprocket wheels, means controlled by an approaching train for driving said chain and having a slip device, a bracket vertically slidably mounted upon a bridging element fixedly mounted in the top portion of said tower, said slidable bracket, comprising lugs formed on said bracket and slidably engaging rods extending vertically upwards from said bridging element, means comprising coil springs coaxially mounted on said rods and acting between said lugs and bridging element for resiliently holding said bracket in a raised position, a signal arm pivotally supported on said bracket and extending from said tower and adapted to extend substantially vertically and to be lowered to a horizontal position, a stop on said tower for limiting said signal arm to its vertical position, a stop on said bracket for limiting said signal arm to its horizontal position, and means connected between said chain and signal arm for supporting the signal arm in its vertical position and being capable of moving said arm to its horizontal position as the chain moves to strike said stop controlling the horizontal position of said arm whereupon further movement of said chain will cause said arm and bracket to move vertically downwardly relative to said tower.

4. In a railroad crossing gate and signal, a tower. a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the top portion of said tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the bottom portion of said tower, an endless chain engaging over said sprocket wheels, means controlled by an ap proaching train for driving said chain and having a slip device, a bracket vertically slidably mounted upon a bridging element fixedly mounted in the top .portion of said tower, means for resiliently holding said bracket in a raised position, a signal arm pivotally supported on said bracket and extending from said tower and adapted tm extend substantially vertically and to be lowered to a horizontal position, a stop on said tower for limiting said signal arm to its vertical position, a stop on said bracket for limiting said signal arm to its horizontal position, and means connected between said chain and signal arm for supporting the signal arm in its vertical position and being capable of moving said arm to its horizontal position as the chain moves to strike said stop controlling the horizontal position of said arm whereupon further movement of said chain will cause said arm and bracket to move vertically downwards relative to said tower, said stops comprising screws threadedly mounted and means for holding said screws in various extended positions.

5. In a railroad crossing gate and signal, a tower, a sprocket wh'eel rotatively mounted in the top portion of said tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the bottom portion of said tower, an endless chain engaging over said sprocket wheels, means controlled by an approaching train for driving said chain and having a slip device, a bracket vertically slidably mounted upon a bridging element fixedly mounted in the top portion of said tower, means for resiliently holding said bracket in a raised position, a signal arm pivotaliy supported on said bracket and extending from said tower and adapted to extend substantially vertically and to be lowered to a. horizontal position, a stop on said tower for limiting said signal arm to its vertical position, a stop on said bracket for limiting said signal arm to its horizontal position, and means connected between said chain and signal arm for supporting the signal arm in its vertical position and being capable of moving said arm to its horizontal position as the chain moves to strike said stop controlling the horizontal position of said arm whereupon further movement of said chain will cause said arm and bracket to move vertically downwards relative to said tower, comprising a finger fixedly mounted on the side of said chain and pivotally connected with a link which in turn is pivotally connected with said signal arm.

6. In a railroad crossing gate and signal, a tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the top portion of said tower, a sprocket wheel rotatively mounted in the bottom portion of said tower, an endless chain engaging over said sprocket wheels, means controlled by an approaching train for driving said chain and having a slip device, a bracket vertically slidably mounted upon a bridging element fixedly mounted in the top portion of said tower, means for resilient holding said bracket in a raised position, a signal arm pivotally supported on said bracket and extending from said tower and adapted to extend substantially vertically and to be lowered to a horizontal position, a stop on said tower for limiting said signal arm to its vertical position, a stop on said bracket for limiting said signal arm to its horizontal position, and means connected between said chain and signal arm for supporting the signal arm in its vertical position and being capable of moving said arm to its horizontal position as the chain moves to strike said stop controlling the horizontal position of said arm whereupon further movement of said chain will cause said arm and bracket to move vertically downwards relative to said tower, comprising a finger fixedly mounted on the side of said chain and pivotally connected with a link which in turn is pivotally connected with said signal arm, and a brace mounted upon said tower and extending along a portion of said endless chain for holding said chain from buckling in the vicinity of said finger.

MARTIN GLOWKA. 

